Ranking the BEST TARDIS Console Rooms!

[@HarboWholmes]

Donate to my Patreon so I don't have to make more top 10 lists: www.patreon.com/harbowholmes

[@_kalia]

If 11's first interior is the result of smashing the TARDIS into Amy Pond's shed, the tv movie interior is the result of smashing the TARDIS into Doc Brown's workshop.

[@stevenhale2935]

And 12's tardis must have crashed into a library

[@isaacoftheraine3985]

and the 13th’s into a crystal mine

[@TheJadedJames]

I'm not sure if 11th's first TARDIS is technically the best TARDIS. But it is the TARDIS that perfectly fits the particular Doctor who is using it and the general vibe of the 11/Amy era. So much that the new design didn't feel completely right until we got to the 12th Doctor.

[@splatinumm]

@@isaacoftheraine3985 nah 13ths into a crack den or a crystal meth laboratory

[@plantainsame2049]

@@TheJadedJames Too bad it was a pain It was so shiny that they had to be careful cause it were Reflect the casting crew

[@tardisman4210]

I have a theory as to why it has those coral designs in cannon. Basically as the doctor regenerated into the war doctor, he added mods to his tardis to temporarily turn it into a battle tardis and the coral designs are interior armor. After the war he took the mods out of his tardis but since the tardis was traumatized from the war it kept the coral armor and became a little more grunge looking

[@MrCoolio1]

For the Thirteenth Doctor’s TARDIS, I could only think “Oh, you redecorated. I don’t like it”

[@Fairly-odd-kel]

I like the fact that Capaldi's was so different to Tennant's, I love the variety

[@hernerwerzog9700]

I love 12's one the most. It has such a classy and elegant design and it fits so well into the show and 12's personality. Edit: Well the TV movie one is surely making me question my life choices.

[@AiRsTrIkExXzZ]

My favourite classic who tardis is the first doctor’s because(from what I’ve seen of the others) it’s the only one that actually has stuff filling the space around the console unit and isn’t just some empty room with a random thing in the middle with loads of buttons and levers

[@soop597]

I always liked 11's asymmetrical and messy console room

[@Squicx]

I think they shoulda had Matt Smiths second TARDIS orange than blue. It fits with the continuity of his first copper Tardis and kinda fits more. However it definitely fits Capaldi more!

[@Roxor128]

It does fit with his period of depression following the departure of Amy and Rory, though.

[@saladin5537]

I still remember the first time I saw the 12th doctors tardis loved it at first sight

[@worldgame7754]

Think its the closet its come to capturing the classic design yet retaining a modern vibe.

[@TheJadedJames]

Yeah, it is crazy how much the episode that new TARDIS introduction scene in Series 7 is still glued in my head.

[@BigHatStudios]

That thumbnail, The arrow, the circle, the words top 10... I see you Harbo... I see you...

[@johannvongenerico9487]

I haven't seen the movie, footage here definitely sells me on your preference. Never really thought about it but the tardis doesn't often feel particularly homely. I get it's the control room and therefore not really a "living" space but still

[@dustinakadustin]

The movie is aggressively fine, I watched it for the first time last night, it's not super terrible like some say. Paul McGann is really great as The Doctor and deserves his own series even if it's just a small thing.

[@SadJBomb]

i always thought 11s room was a good balance of TARDIS control and homeliness when he talks about bunk beds i can easily see them existing in a place like that

[@pauldonald4676]

It would have been worth highlighting that the ceiling of the 8th Doctors console room served as the scanner screen. Sitting back and watching the backdrop of space playing all over that ceiling would've been awesome. Also I think the Rani's Tardis deserved an honourable mention. The grey, almost silver interior with the occasional touch of pink was so distinguished and classy. The console on a raised dias etc it was a beautifully designed set.

[@Lia-uf1ir]

I always thought the 12th Doctor's TARDIS design, especially the console was sort of an updated version of the original with clear knobs and dials and levers unlike 9's/10's and 11's TARDISes which were more organic and thrown together.

[@sbi168]

I really like capaldis tardis. Definitely my favourite tardis. Though I really like 13s tardis. Not so much in season 11 but season 12 onwards I really love it. I think what makes it even more memorable is when I entered it in vr .that actually blew me away. Just beautiful.

[@aionicthunder]

4:36 Well, 4 TARDIS designs beat it, so I think you can beat the original

[@richardmattocks]

Capaldi’s console room is perfection. As an aside, although I’m not a fan of 13, I have to say that the fugitive console room looks like I’d expect the 1st Doctor’s console room would have if they had the budget back then. It’s retro but also futuristic.

[@JOCoStudio1]

I just wish 13 had that Tardis. It looks so much better than hers.

[@christianwise637]

@@JOCoStudio1 And given that this era seems to be trying to harken back to the Hartnell years (a larger TARDIS team, more historical stories etc.), it would make sense for the TARDIS to echo back to that iconic original design. Alas

[@deutschermichel5807]

​@@christianwise637 I kind of donʼt think the fugitive doctor should be canon. Maybe sheʼs an imposter and thatʼs why the doctor doesnʼt remembe her

[@TheCobraKid]

Ranking the concept art for the Tardis Interiors would be dope and I didn’t even know about them until now

[@lharrowing]

The little display on the 8th Doctor's TARDIS that shows the time, date, and location could be used really well in the series, I think.

[@nathanielmorgan9108]

The 8ths is my favorite too, it doesn't get enough recognition, it's such a good TARDIS, the 8th doctor in general doesn't get enough recognition.

[@iusedtowrite6667]

The thumbnail !!!! Really nailing those shitty lists channels vibe. Needs more arrows and clickbait though But jokes aside I don't mind if you make these kind of videos more, god knows KZbin fucks over content creators so if these videos help you keep the channel afloat and let you make your regular videos then go for it.

[@SchardtCinematic]

The TV movie TARDIS would be my favorite as well. Its vastness of it is amazing. It's not even the 8th Doctors TARDIS. Technically it's the 7th Doctors final TARDIS. we never saw on TV what the 8th Doctor would do to redesign it to make it his own.

[@robmarconi6758]

I love buttons, switches, knobs and levers. That's why the 12th's my favorite

[@deutschermichel5807]

I donʼt like the makeshift consoles of spare parts of the War doctor, 9 & 10 and 11ʼs first one aswell as Jodie

[@frederickbaake4397]

I would have ranked the 4th Doctors auxiliary control room 1st because it was so un expectantly different plus the wooden layout reminds me of an old ship.

[@tidmouthmilk12]

Yeah I think I'm with you on this for the most part. I'd probably have the 80s TARDIS interior a little higher on my personal list, but I'm a sucker for 80s cheese! Another thing I'll say is the best version of the 2010 TARDIS is from the end of Amy's Choice, when it's covered in ice. Seeing that console room bathed in that neutral white colour is just oddly satisfying and I wish it'd been like that the whole time.

[@keestar8740]

My favourite has to be the one Clara uses, just the simple white and silver classic style with updated graphics looks really smooth

[@The12thDoctor]

I like the 7b, 12's, 9 and 10's and 7 and 8's

[@LeeJay07701]

I'm pretty sure it's called the coral TARDIS because of the Time Crash crossover short. The 5th Doctor asks the 10th if it's the "coral desktop".

[@leesnowdon9009]

yes the desktop theme, as 5th Doctor says "you've changed the desktop theme, what's this one, coral, it's worse than the leopard skin"

[@tardisspider7187]

Thanks for the chuckle. I went to youtube today to find a new who video to watch. Only to see your top 10 Tardis Interiors. I posted a video about Tardis Consoles 15 hours ahead. of you, giving me "A Great Minds Think Alike Moment". Honestly this was another great video by you. Don't stop Keep it up. I look forward to more great Doctor Who content from you and all of the other WhoTubers I watch. Terry @ Tardis Spider

[@chrisshorten4406]

It would be interesting to see that concept art.

[@Josh-ze6xo]

I think the Capaldi era tardis my favourite in terms of visual and practicality but the TV movie is very ncie

[@darthagaddadavida9936]

Very cool, I agree. The movie console room in particular. My only change would be the wood panel room would be higher on the list. Its a good example of Arthur Clarke's expression, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

[@mtaimry]

I can vision you giving up your hopes and dreams as you were making that thumbnail

[@HarboWholmes]

It hurt

[@RPGmodsFan]

My favorite is Matt Smith's Tardis interior.

[@TopKekMadLad]

theres two though

[@ogpandamonium]

Which one?

[@RPGmodsFan]

@@ogpandamonium Either, but if I had to pick, then the 1st one.

[@ogpandamonium]

@@RPGmodsFan cool

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

I hate this one personally

[@lewisfrisby5673]

I would definitely like to see you rank concept art for the tardis

[@Samantha_was_here_first]

Prefer the clean white look myself. With all those rafters, the spiderwebs will be a pain to clear. Plus, all the tumbling around during flight would have you constantly reshelving items.

[@deutschermichel5807]

I prefer the classic designs. I really like Capaldiʼs but if I was a Time Lord, Iʼd use a version of the Third of Fourth Doctorʼs Tardis

[@russgraeber7127]

I absolutely agree about the 1996 movie having the best tardis interior. Everything about the movie was abit ordinary, apart from the Tardis interior, which was great. Tom bakers' secondary wood panelled version should have been no 2, but good on you for putting this together.

[@deutschermichel5807]

I like the secondary more than the movie one. The latter is just too much

[@Squicx]

I think Ruth’s Tardis SHOULD HAVE BEEN 13s TARDIS. Maybe change the console and hide that annoying visible cable and change the colour. Maybe change the console to a more 1989 Tardis design with the layout having a more 12th Doctor design

[@ZemplinTemplar]

Yeah, it would have fit the Thirteenth Doctor's more cheerful personality.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

I won't shock or surprise anyone, nor be too original when I say my favourite design is the Michael Pickwoad design for the Eleventh Doctor's late adventures (latter part of Series 7, Clara as the new companion, etc.) and all of the Twelfth's adventures. I don't even differentiate between the green-tinted lighting and the later, more warmer/bluer, more intimate colours, I honestly like both lighting schemes and little set dressing changes. The basic design is what makes it all work, even with the little changes. There's also a great deal of logic to how things are layed out: Where the ground floor is, where the central platform with the console and the pillar with the time rotor and the rotating "coordinate rings" with the Gallifreyan symbols, or where the entrances to the various major corridors and nearby rooms are. This version of the TARDIS design also showed us a lot more about the various engine rooms, system rooms and their equivalents in that one Series 7 episode, and those also fit with the Pickwoad design, but also fairly seamlessly with the design seen in the previous eras of the show. That sort of logical consistency, the very mechanical but sleekly elegant stylistics of the main TARDIS rooms and walls, is what elevates the Pickwoad design approach from "just another one in line" to a remarkably timeless and incredibly memorable design. RIP, Mr. Pickwoad, you gave fans of Doctor Who a lovely gift with all your production design work, your TARDIS in particular. I also think there's no beating the original 1960s TARDIS (and its modern day recreations), it's a firm second place for me. One thing I like about the oldest seen design is that it's relatively abstract and while fairly machine-like, it isn't industrial in feel, but more like a comfy flat/apartment that just happens to have a control console as well. The materials used for the hexagon console, its panels and the time rotor are very minimalist, with clean design lines, but there's still an ornateness to how things are arranged and how they move. This is partly why I also appreciate the Pickwoad design, even though it might seem very different at first glance. The oldest design and the Pickwoad design feel lived-in, clean but not sterile, and with a timeless blending of the tech used - very old-school levers, a throttle and little flip-switches and blinking lights, but also more contemporary-looking viewscreens (ones contemporary in the 1960s, with a TV set design, then contemporary in the 2010s, with a computer monitor design). It's hard to describe or easily quantify without picking apart all the various details, but I just like that both designs feel technologically timeless, feel mysterious and odd, but also fairly hospitable and welcoming. I consider the Eighth Doctor's TARDIS neither third nor a tie with first or second place, but more like an honourable mention beside them. As much as I appreciate the Vernian inspiration and cosiness of the Eighth Doctor's TARDIS, I feel the main downside is that we only got to see it that one time and didn't get to see its details long enough. If we had gotten a revival series already in the 1990s and seen the TARDIS in plenty more episodes, we'd no doubt get a better feel for the whole thing. Like a lot of things with Paul McGann's Doctor, my main disappointment is that we never got a full series or two with his version of the character, or at least a TV miniseries. Times were different, but his Doctor and TARDIS really did deserve more of a television presence. Still, I like to pretend a lot of the audio dramas with the Eighth had featured that "Vernian adventurer" design for a long time, only changing with some major changes in the Eighth's later stories. As you've said, the main issue with the TARDIS control room of the Thirteenth Doctor's era is that they made the lighting a bit too dark and weirdly dreary. If it was lit around the same intensity as the Twelfth's TARDIS, with more intimate instead of bright lighting, but still inviting in feel, I would have preferred it a lot more. I don't feel it fits the Thirteenth Doctor, since she always struck me as a more lighthearted incarnation (regardless of whether the writing succeeded with getting that across or not). As for the stalagtite-like pillars, I quite like those for the organic lines and glow, but they should have been given a more abstract shape than the finger-like shape that was chosen.

[@godessesque]

Oh come on! Its called the Coral TARDIS because of what the 5th Doctor says in "Time Crash" and you know it! :p

[@thestargateking]

I like the movie tardis, but I would say capaldis tardis is far better. While yes the TV tardis has much more of a home feel to it, capaldis tardis feels like a space ship that was turned into a home, which is the most accurate depiction of the tardis, with the capaldi version feeling more alien and alive while the movie looks a lot more, crazy scientist building something in the bottom floor of a wooden mansion.

[@DalekGarf]

Capaldi's tardis is the perfect balance of a spaceship and a home, but tv movie tardis is also fantastic

[@wil2209]

Concept rankings are a good idea

[@bigboymedia453]

Top 3 3. 11th doctor first console 2. Last classic console 1. TV movie console

[@nightowl8477]

4:24 that's never actually stated, people just assume that. 13 actually makes a distinction between Ruth and the Timeless Children, somewhat strangely.

[@dominickeijzer5844]

*Implied to be*

[@nightowl8477]

@@dominickeijzer5844 - except she's *implied to be* something completely different.

[@dominickeijzer5844]

@@nightowl8477 When is it implied she's not a pre-Hartnell doctor?

[@shoogamoogaman]

Fun Fact: I did a Top 10 TARDIS Console Rooms list as an audition for WhoCulture ...I never heard back 👌

[@RandomPerson-ml4wh]

Why?

[@Robert10075]

Never knew the series 5 tardis was inspired by Amy’s shed

[@docskywalker51riftstudios58]

I’d love to see the concept art video

[@tombaker6483]

Would love the tardis concept video!

[@gregorde]

You don’t miss an opportunity to dump on anything 13. Good, good.

[@The_D0C70R]

Would love to see a ranking of the exteriors as well, my favourite box is hands down the TV movie box (my favourite interior is Capaldi's, of course).

[@econno8172]

Love these vids

[@StillJustDreaming]

2:01 Sorry, I admit to not knowing a ton about the classic Doctors, so can someone fill me in - why did the 4th Doctor have a back up room?

[@Drengade]

Personally, I am immensely surprised that they haven't gone for a real clockwork style thus far. It's a time machine, nothing fits that better in my mind than walls and floors of moving clockwork.

[@Log-On-Line]

im pretty sure thats what peters capaldis tardis is the spinning shit at the top remind me of a clock atleast

[@fdr8343]

The 12th doctor and 10th Doctors TARDIS are my favorites!

[@barry1369]

5. 2005-2010 4. 1983-89 3. Original 2. 8th Doctor 1. Series 5-7 part 1

[@dansmudge135]

Brilliant video, quality with pace, didn’t get bored, well played!

[@joeblundy9185]

I’m a huge Doctor Who fan…or so I thought. How come I’ve never seen the 4th Doctor’s second TARDIS before?

[@VeryUsMumblings]

It appeared the last 4-episode run with Sarah Jane Smith and then it was gone. I believe it was referred to as the 'Second Control Room' or 'Backup console' or something like that.

[@darthagaddadavida9936]

@@VeryUsMumblings That control room appeared in The Deadly Assassin. I don't recall how long it lasted after that though.

[@VeryUsMumblings]

@@darthagaddadavida9936 I stand corrected, though I still think they should have used it for a few more episodes. :)

[@DrWhoFanJ]

@@VeryUsMumblings You were actually correct (bar your using the term “episode” when you meant “story”). It was used during Season 14, although it didn’t actually appear during every story.

[@imanimr2098]

Really enjoyed this vid would love to see similar opinion-based lists in the future !

[@SuperverseProductions]

Capaldi's is iconic and the best interior hands down

[@blobfish5730]

Just commenting for the algorithm.

[@UgandanPrinc3]

Good list! I pretty much agree with it all, though I might switch #2 and #1 due to my bias

[@IanBarth]

Honestly I’d probably switch 1 and 2, but other than that, perfect list.

[@cobra_kai_meme_page5607]

8 is my fav twrdis interior too

[@thebluetardis]

I personally prefer the second Tardis of the 11th Doctor. Now I can’t answer exactly why, but all I can say is just I fall in love with that interior. Why ? I don’t know, it just popped in there.

[@Log-On-Line]

im very biased so 9th and 10ths tardis i grew up with that one and it will always be my favorite

[@MoUniiiiii]

Great choice that you made the 8th Doctor tardis is no 1!!!

[@TARDIS_TEAM]

Hey what do you think of the console room that began in Season 15. Used on Tam Baker’s and Peter Davison’s eras?

[@UnsafestPony81]

Not sure about the placements, but I would say my top TARDIS console rooms are Matt Smith's first and the second one after Peter Capaldi redecorated.

[@abdirahmanabokor172]

The 10th Doctor's T.A.R.D.I.S is one of my favs

[@richardmattocks]

I’ve always felt that all the revival console rooms owe a debt to the TV Movie design so it’s a worthy top pick 😎👍

[@smuu1996]

the second 11th and the 12th doctor tardis is the best ngl

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Truly a based list and great thumbnail… let the hate train begin again. #TeamRomanaI

[@108asf]

I think if you have any opinion about "Loki", it may be interesting to hear

[@user-jn1wm3tb8v]

3's interior is my favourite. So much stuff

[@dylanlewis5113]

10) 13th Doctor 9) Series 7B 8) Season 14 7) Final Classic 6) War 5) Movie 4) Original 3) Coral 2) 4th Doctor 1) 12th Doctor

[@aannddrryyaa]

Must say, you have good taste ! I have to agree with you :)

[@Halflife2-y2m]

Love that movie Tardis

[@lorddan171]

In my opinion my favorite tardis is the 11th doctor tardis (2) and the 5th doctor tardis (castrovalva)

[@Venemofthe888]

I just wish they would stop using the plot point of the doctor destroying the interior by regenerating like its a lazy way to change in the interior. Id prefer they didnt address it than destroying it a lot in new who. 11th Doctors interior are just the worse for me at least like the first one never grew on me and the second one was a bit boring.

[@SchardtCinematic]

At least for the Snowmen I assume he resigned it himself so that it wouldnt remind him of Amy and Rory anymore. Although I hate 11s 2nd design.

[@darthagaddadavida9936]

Since the short with Peter Davison (Star Crash was it?), I thought the chameleon circuit changed the control room to suit the user. That line about changing the desktop theme suggests it.

[@TheJadedJames]

I mean, in the modern series, that has only happened twice. 10 and 12 destroy it while regenerating inside. But the 11th Doctor changed it between episodes with the audience just left to assume he did it for emotional reasons. It is hard for me to be too hard on a plot point that has been repeated only twice in 15 years

[@Bailey-dj6hz]

Concept art tardis video!!!

[@mr.person4050]

Called it (almost)

[@Retro-Fez]

The 11th doctors first tardis interior was the best ever

[@fredwood1490]

The console Room is always an adventure, fun to explore as we can in those few, brief moments we are alone in it. However, I have seen something... the Tardis needs no control panel, it is a sentient machine and the control panel does not control it, it controls the panel and gives the doctor the illusion of control. I think she even said that once! It seems that, she sends him where he needs to be, no matter where he wants to be. That's why he's usually surprised where he arrives. He's the ultimate Hero and she is his mighty steed. I seem to remember both the White and the Black Guardians saying they controlled the Tardis, as did several other powerful entities, but I think it's the old girl alone. After all, she can actually see all of time and space and everything that happens in it. (That includes those nasty little things we did when we were young and there was nobody else around.) I suspect that also makes her just a bit mad as well, the perfect match for our mostly mad Doctor.

[@darrenkeady6570]

The Five Doctors console and the 12th Doctors as well.

[@ogpandamonium]

Oh my god the clickbait circle with arrow pointing at it thumbnail

[@ronaldwhite1730]

thank - you

[@ghostface_tardis]

My favourite console rooms are: 12th Doctors Room, 60’s console room, Hell Bent Tardis Nice list: I’m not as a fan of the Tardis being organic and alive. Like I know she is alive but I just don’t like the more organic Tardis console rooms

[@emojo1990]

Next can we get a list of top 10 TARDIS exteriors?

[@midnightmoonwolf7306]

How could you hate the Jodie Whitaker interior actually quite like It’s my number one favourite console

[@deutschermichel5807]

Ok.........?

[@danielcox3152]

I'd put Five Doctors higher, it's one of my favourites

[@eelsemaj99]

I still think you can’t beat the first TARDIS but I like the 12th doctors one and the movie one too

[@thomasnieswandt8805]

My Tardis-Ranking would be... 14. 13th Doctor Tardis..... i HATE that TARDIS, its dark, and exapt from the spinning cristal, NOTHING works for me, exapt that one time, when Tesla conected it, with his Westinghouse Tower and the light switched to ice and blue. 13. Matts first, Series5-6 looks like a bad, busy Playground if you ask me to be in it, NO deff. not!! 12. Salat Bowl Tardis (3rd second) 11. Tom Bakers flat walls 10. 9th/10th Doctors Tardis 9. 3rd Doctors first Tardis 8. Wooden / secondary controlroom 7. Classic (first) Tardis you can swap it with 6. it depends on the Story and how the Tardis is used in it. 6. 5th-7th Doctor Tardis 5. War Doctors Tardis 4. Fugetive / Hellbent Tardis i like this modern version of the classic design and the way, they reimagined the old style 3. Tom Bakers second Tardis 2.11th/12th Tardis, count it as one because just different lighting but i like it (1.5. I know cheating but thats Missys Tardis, just wow) 1. 8th Doctors Tardis, absolutly love it, the "steampunk" design, the hidden tech, thats my all time favourite (got an autographed picture by Paul McGann, of the 8th Doctor in the Controlroom, in my living room)

[@tommillington6730]

Yes 100% do the concept art TARDIS's

[@selatidos]

waters of mars!,waters of mars!

[@Antifag1977]

This list is so bogus. Dude is just a 13 hater - ( shocker). He knocks hers for being too dark and gloomy but the darkness was a good think for Capaldi. I really dislike when someone tries to justify their personal bias with fancy sounding BS that always falls apart upon simple comparison. . Just come out and say you don't like that Tardis because you don't like her. That way people like me can't call you on BS.

[@johnanthonylucock7833]

I preferred the consoles from classic Doctor Who

[@user-fu7zf4ck9z]

1. Eccleston/Tennant 2. War 3. Fugitive 4. Capaldi 5. McGann 6. Davison/Baker/Mccoy 6. Hartnell/Throughton/Pertwee/Baker 7. Smith 8. Whittaker 9. Bakers second

[@fadikhoory5350]

1. 80s- Sci-fi, futuristic, if there was a Tardis I wanted to travel in it would difo be this one. 2. 12th doctors's 3. Original- it's very spacious 4. McGann- it's dark atmosphere is nice 5. RTD's- I think it looks messy, too messy to belong to a damaged, surviving man 6. Smith's- Orange, orange, orange 7. S14

[@LMJWho]

just my think but for me is 12th doctors tardis best and peter was an awesome doctor.

[@worldgame7754]

Nice to see the love for 8ths at number 1. Good pick. Totally agree with this list, very fair. Loved no 12s at 2. My favourite of the modern era. 13th Do tors just terrible so wouldn’t expect it to place anywhere than bottom. Would love to see a modern take on the 4th Doctor’s secondary wooden console room. Shame the sets warped in storage and were only used for one Season.